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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Whom having arrested, he put in ward, having delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers. This was done both of rage, and of fear. He slew James the brother of John with the sword. Do you mark their courage? For, that none may say that without danger or fear of danger they brave death, as being sure of God's delivering them, therefore he permits some to be put to death, and chief men too, Stephen and James, thereby convincing their slayers themselves, that not even these things make them fall away, and hinder them.
Theophylact of Ohrid
He commanded four quaternions of soldiers to guard him. This was due both to anger and to fear. The more careful the guard, the more amazing the manifestation of the power of God. And this happened on account of the apostle Peter, who was very well known.
Oecumenius
"four squads of four." That is, the total number sixteen; for four times four makes sixteen. Perhaps at each watch, that is, in the third watch, there were four guards. There are four guards called a tri-hour watch, as the twelve hours of the whole night being four watches; in each of which, with four soldiers guarding, all together make the number sixteen. Observe the Jews in the days of Unleavened Bread doing such things. [CHRYSOSTOM]
Western Saints
Bede
Delivering him to four squads of soldiers. Just as a centurion has a hundred soldiers under him, so does a squad of soldiers have soldiers under him.
Translation